[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/monster-hunter_282.jpg]][-[[caption-width-right:300:[[ButForMeItWasTuesday All in a day's work.]]]]-]

->''"In the world of Monster Hunter, you are never alone."''-->-- ''Monster Hunter Freedom Unite'' {{tagline}}

''Monster Hunter'' is one part role playing game, one part action game, one part {{MMORPG}} and two parts adventure game, cooked by a pack of anthropomorphic cats and lifted from the flames the second it turns a delicious bronze hue, all to the sound of a surprisingly cheerful jingle. [[SignatureSoundEffect So tasty!]]

Developed and published by {{Capcom}} for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, the original game wasn't as big a success in the United States as it was in Japan. However, its portable sequels are among the most popular games available for the PSP, and subsequent sequels have been released on the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable PSP]], UsefulNotes/WiiU, and UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS.

''Monster Hunter'' is a unique experience. Playing as a hunter assembled from a list of faces, voices, etc., you try to make a name for yourself battling an array of increasingly bigger and nastier creatures that can kick your ass shockingly fast if you're unprepared and/or rush them head-on as if they're {{Mooks}}. Each Monster not only has a variety of attacks, but a number of both subtle and overt visual and audio cues to each action, as well as its own status. Recognition of these cues is crucial to properly defeating them. A typical Monster Hunter battle has a graceful Zen-like quality to it, like a bullfight with a 700-pound gorilla (or wyvern, or dragon, or GiantEnemyCrab) should.

The weapons and armor store is pretty weak, and everything they sell will be out of date only a few hours from starting the game. To get better equipment, the player has to assemble his or her own equipment from parts of fallen monsters as well as activities like combining, mining, fishing and bug collecting.

Players can hunt by themselves, and when doing so in more modern games they can bring along up to two CPU-controlled support characters who perform actions like attacking monsters and performing healing and buffing abilities. In console games, players can go online to hunt together in parties, while portable games have historically eschewed online support in favor of local wireless multiplayer, the idea being that you actually meet with your hunting buddies in person to do quests with them. This changed with ''Monster Hunter 4'', the first portable game to feature online multiplayer and the first game in the entire series to offer both flavors.

Also spawned a manga adaption, called ''Manga/MonsterHunterOrage'', written by Mashima Hiro of ''Manga/FairyTail'' and ''Manga/RaveMaster'' fame. A second Manga adaptation called ''Monster Hunter: Senkou no Kariudo''[[labelnote: trans]]Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter[[/labelnote]] is currently being published, written by Keiichi Hikami and illustrated by Shin Yamamoto.

How popular is it? ''Portable 3rd'' for the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable PSP]], sold over ''four million'' copies in Japan ''alone'' in a mere two months, which is more than enough to tell. Also, ''4'' sold ''two million'' copies in mere ''FOUR DAYS''. ''[[CashCowFranchise Cha-ching!]]'' The series currently stands as [[http://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/salesdata.html Capcom's third-best selling intellectual property]] at 36 million units sold as of the end of 2015, bested only by ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' and ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'', but beating ''Franchise/MegaMan''.

The number of games released are classified under "generations". Here's the list of the main series and spin-offs:* First Generation:** ''Monster Hunter'': UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 (2004-2005) - The original. One of a select number of games to utilize the [=PS2=] Online functions. The servers outside Japan were closed on New Years Day 2008, while the Japanese servers closed on July 1, 2011. The Western release included the Dual Blades weapon class, which wasn't present in the Japanese version.** ''Monster Hunter G'': [=PlayStation=] 2 (2004), UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} (2009), Japan only - An UpdatedRerelease of [=MH1=] with some new monster variants and the Dual Blades weapon class from the Western release of ''Monster Hunter''. The [=PS2=] version servers were closed down in 2011, while the Wii version's servers presumably went down the same time as the Nintendo [=WiFi=] Connection shutdown.** ''Monster Hunter Freedom'': UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable (2005-2006) - An almost straight port of [=MHG=], known as Monster Hunter Portable in Japan. Removed Minegarde Town as the multiplayer hub in favor of a Gathering Hall in Kokoto Village proper and included a Farm for harvesting basic crafting materials.* Second Generation:** ''Monster Hunter 2 (dos)'': [=PlayStation=] 2 (2006), Japan only - A sequel to [=MH1=], with all new monsters and new subspecies of old ones. The servers were closed down in 2011.** ''Monster Hunter Freedom 2'': [=PlayStation=] Portable (2007) - A sequel to [=MHF1=], known as Monster Hunter Portable 2nd in Japan, it is separate from [=MH2=]. Uses the same monsters as ''2'', but has different quests and is set in a different village.** ''Monster Hunter Freedom Unite'': [=PlayStation=] Portable (2008-2009) and [[IOSGames iOS]] (2014) - An UpdatedRerelease of [=MHF2=], in Japan known as Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, featured a few new monsters and subspecies. First main series title to hold the record for most monsters in the game at 81. Available on the PS Vita as a digital download via the Playstation Network. The game was eventually ported to the iOS app store, receiving updated graphics, a reworked touch screen control scheme, and the addition of later functions such as the Target Cam from ''3 Ultimate'' and [=WiFi=]-based online multiplayer. The iOS port was pulled from the store in 2015 due to the game being incompatible with iOS 9, but was finally re-uploaded on July 13, 2016.* Third Generation:** ''Monster Hunter 3 (tri-)'': Nintendo Wii (2009-2010) - The third main game. Introduced a bit more three-dimensional movement via underwater areas and battles, a new weapon type (the Switch Axe) and a new weight classification of bowgun (Medium Bowgun), while removing Dual Blades and Bows because of Wii-mote control issues. Bowguns were changed to be much more customizable, their overall weight tied to what parts were used to make them. Many new monsters were added, as were two all new monster types, but only three old ones make reappearances. The servers were closed on May 1, 2013 after the release of ''3 Ultimate''.** ''Monster Hunter Portable 3rd'': [=PlayStation=] Portable (2010) and UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 (2011), Japan only - A sequel to [=MHF2=]. Has several new monsters (and another new type) and subspecies (and more returning monsters from the previous generation), but omits the underwater parts. Not a port of [=MH3=], same deal as [=MHF2=].** ''Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate'': UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS and UsefulNotes/WiiU (2011 and 2013) - An UpdatedRerelease of [=MH3=], known in Japan as Monster Hunter 3G, with several new monsters and touch screen features. This release keeps the Switch Axe and underwater combat added in the original ''Tri'', re-adds the Dual Blades and Bow, and removes the Bowgun customization and Medium Bowgun weight class. Released on the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U with the ability to transfer save files between the two systems and online capabilities for the Wii U version. The 3DS version was originally limited to local multiplayer, but a free app on the Wii U e-Shop lets the 3DS version use the servers for the Wii U version.* Fourth Generation:** ''Monster Hunter 4'': Nintendo 3DS (2013), Japan only - The fourth main game. Introduces two new weapon types (Charge Blade and Insect Glaive), and the addition of more three-dimensional movement and combat, although the underwater combat from ''Tri/3 Ultimate'' is removed again. The game has more of an emphasis on adventuring and story progression, featuring an actual story and the ability to travel between four different villages. Item management has been changed some: hunters have both the regular item pouch and the gunner's ammo/coating pouch regardless of whether they're a blademaster or gunner, the Field Pouch system from ''Portable 3rd'' returns, and custom "My Sets" include item sets as well as equipment sets. The game has online play implemented without the need for additional hardware or software. Also implemented is a quest maker, from which the player can upload Guild Quests for other players to complete. Taking the place of ''Tri'''s Free Hunts are Expeditions, which occur in the Everwood, a unique area that is completely randomized every time it is entered.** ''Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'': Nintendo 3DS (2014-2015) - An UpdatedRerelease of [=MH4=] released on February 13th, 2015 internationally. Underwater combat still doesn't make a return, but [=MH4=]'s emphasis on jumping and three-dimensional movement is retained, with the new ability to use the knockback from heavier weapons such as the Hammer and Greatsword as a legitimate means to help launch allies onto monsters. G-Rank was revamped for this game, divided into multiple sub-ranks. Second main series title to hold the record of highest monster count at 98. It was released the same day as the New 3DS model, and has a bundle with it accordingly.** ''Monster Hunter Generations'': Nintendo 3DS (2015-2016) - Titled ''Monster Hunter X (Cross)'' in Japan, ''Generations'' is a spinoff that acts as a [[MeaningfulName crossover]]-esque game celebrating the [[MeaningfulName history]] of the series. Brings back the same weapon selection as ''4'' and retains its newfound emphasis on three-dimensional combat, but replaces Frenzied and Apex Monsters with Hyper and Deviant Monsters. Monsters that didn't make the cut in 4th Gen, such as Plesioth and the Leviathan class, return alongside newer 4th Gen monsters and four new flagship monsters collectively known as the "Fated Four". Introduces Hunter Arts, powerful {{Limit Break}}s, and Hunting Styles, a CharacterClassSystem that augments a Hunter's abilities in exchange for certain weapon moves. Introduces Prowler Mode, where players take control of the SeriesMascot, the Felynes, and hunt alongside other Felynes or regular Hunters. Upgrading equipment have been changed a bit: armor requires monster materials in addition to armorspheres for certain upgrade levels, while weapons require "group" materials such as ore and insects in addition to specific materials. Currently holds the highest monster count of the main series at 105. Released alongside a themed New 3DS model in both the US and Europe, with the blue US version being just the system while the red European version comes with the game pre-installed.** ''Monster Hunter XX (Double Cross)'': Nintendo 3DS (2017) - An UpdatedRerelease of ''Generations'', which, among other things, adds G-rank and two new Hunting Styles.* Spin-offs:** ''Monster Hunter Frontier'': PC (2007), UsefulNotes/XBox360 (2010), [=PS3=] (2013), Wii U (2013), [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationVita PS Vita]] (2014) - Japan, China, and Korea only, but region free. An MMO spin-off (earlier simply a PC port of the multiplayer from ''[=MHF2=]'') of sorts that has mostly exclusive monsters. Major updates repeatedly changed the title to (in order): ''Monster Hunter Frontier Forward'', ''Monster Hunter Frontier G'', and ''Monster Hunter Frontier G Genuine''. Also has an exclusive weapon class: the Tonfa.** ''Monster Hunter Diaries'' series: PSP, mobile phones, 3DS. Japan-only spin-offs focused solely on Felynes.** ''Monster Hunter Dynamic Hunting'': [[IOSGames iOS]] (2011) - Released internationally for the Apple iPhone. Still available on the iOS store, but cites compatibility problems with iOS 8.** ''Monster Hunter Online'': PC - A second ''MH'' MMO spin-off developed by Tencent using Crytek's [=CryEngine=] 3 and officially backed by Capcom. China only, although the game is region free and there is an ongoing unofficial English patch. The earliest known version of the game was a leak in 2012 for a version on the PS Vita, but that version was cancelled and what work was done was transferred to the PC version.** ''Monster Hunter Stories'': Nintendo 3DS (2016) - A story-oriented RolePlayingGame entry in the franchise that focuses on "Riders" who befriend and ride monsters as opposed to Hunters of the mainline ''Monster Hunter'' world, and the relationship between the Riders and said monsters. Features a [[ArtShiftedSequel vastly different art style]] based around CelShading. Has an [[TheAnimeOfTheGame anime adaptation]] in the works called ''Anime/MonsterHunterStoriesRideOn''.

Here is the [[Characters/MonsterHunterMainSeriesMonsters list of]] [[Characters/MonsterHunterFrontierMonsters monsters]] you will inevitably encounter.----!!This series provides examples of: